ESSEX CHESS LEAGUE DIVISION II 19.10.22
LOUGHTON II ½ – 5 ILFORD I
1792 SIMON MOTH ½ TOM BARTON 1935
1782 MARTIN VAN TOL 0-1 NEVILLE TWITCHELL 1965
1700 KEN GROCE 0-1 VENKATESH SUBRAMANIAN 1801
1523 MYLES BRUNGER 0-1 TONY KENT 1792
1300 F COLLINS 0-1 JEF PAGE 1642
1308 MICHAEL SMITH 0-1 BIEL SCHREUDER 1419
1567.5 Average grade 1754
Time control: 80 minutes plus 10 seconds a move. Toss won by Ilford- White on odd boards.
(Based on Jef Page’s notes) Ilford I’s ECL campaign 2022-23 started with an away match at Loughton- a club that has often proved a nemesis to us in the past. After winning the Essex Rapidplay Plate Championship in the summer we had hopes of keeping our successful run going and we surprisingly swept Loughton aside.
Jef had an easy win out of a Kings Gambit Declined though I made it stupidly hard for myself as Collins struggled in vain to develop his pieces. Neville had a (long overdue) win for us by forcing two connected passed pawns up the board to fork both of Van Tol’s Rooks. Myles Brunger had good chances against Tony but couldn’t gain a point after a mistake. Venkatesh arrived late but made short work of Groce and Smith, a pawn down, couldn’t hold the ending when he allowed his lone Knight to be swapped off and Biel’s King invaded and ate the opposing pawns allowing one of his own to run through and queen. New member Schreuder’s first game for Ilford I and good to start with a win. On top board Simon’s successful Dragon Sicilian proved difficult for Tom to break down and when it got to an equal Kn & pawns ending a draw was agreed. A good win and our overall strength was far too great for Loughton as the grading’s difference shows.
Next match: Redbridge Social Centre,Monday 24 October: Ilford I v Thurrock
Ilford Chess Club 